SHREVEPORT—Centenary men’s basketball coach Rob Flaska has announced the signing of Pennsylvania prep star E.J. Kusnyer. Kusnyer will begin his first day at Centenary on August 22nd, when the rest of the college’s students head to class for the start of the 2005-06 academic year. The latest addition to the Gent’s roster brings the total number of newcomers to nine with three players returning for Flaska’s debut campaign.

A 6-5, 210-pound wing from Wexford, Penn., Kusnyer attended North Allegheny High School before spending a year at The Peddie School, an elite preparatory academy in Highstown, New Jersey. He averaged 12 ppg, 6 apg, and 4 rpg in addition to being named second team All-State Prep by a vote of coaches. He was also named first team All-Prep by the Trenton Times while earning Honor Roll status at The Peddie School.

“E.J. is a big wing that has great size and strength,” said Flaska of his recent signee. “He has benefited from a year of prep school and plays the game with the intelligence that you don’t usually find in a college freshman. He can really shoot the ball, has a quick first step, and can use his body to get to the foul line.”

Kusnyer is no stranger to the college basketball scene. His father, Ernie Kusnyer, played basketball at Kansas State where his roommate was Lon Krueger, former head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and current head coach at UNLV.